HERE’S A TREAT: The Meals and Wheels team is already hard at work making apple teacake and custard desserts for their fundraising drive on August 31. (Left to Right) Karen Portas, Kerry O’Doherty, Robyn Jenvey, Jill Pointing and Elizabeth Lowe.
FOR more than 66 years local branches of Meals on Wheels have been doing excellent work in this community.
Some who know little about the organisation may wrongly believe they just cook meals for elderly residents who can’t use their kitchens.
The slogan of the organisation is “Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal” and clients of the organisation will vouch for that.
For some of them the friendly volunteer who drops in their freshly cooked meals Monday to Friday is the only person they interact with.
Ipswich Meals and Wheels Manager, Rebecca Dakin, said every time a driver called in with a meal, they were also doing a health check with the clients.
“Where possible we have the same volunteer calling on the same clients and they get to know them as friends,” she said.
“They monitor them and when they have any concerns, or the doorbell isn’t answered we immediately contact the relatives to advise them.”
Ipswich Meals on Wheels currently has 350 plus clients on their books, and they say the phone is always ringing with inquiries.
Clients are from a wide area with meals delivered to not only Ipswich, but also Esk, Toogoolawah, Lowood, Fernvale, Laidley and the Brisbane Valley.
Over 65’s, NDIS clients and those with a doctor’s authority all receive three course meals for just $10. The cost is kept down because the organisation has a willing team of volunteers.
Each day 70 of these volunteers go to the branches to help in the kitchen, with administration or just to deliver the meals.
Like all community groups Meals on Wheels is always needing to raise extra funds to keep up with increasing demand.
“Wednesday, August 31 is Meals on Wheels Day, and we believe we have come up with a great way for the community to help us and get a treat themselves,” Rebecca said.
“We will be selling $5 apple teacup and custard desserts for the day and we are hoping businesses will buy them by the dozens to put morning or afternoon tea on for their staff.
“If anyone orders 10 or more, we’ll even deliver them to their door.
They have set their target at 300 but knowing the generosity of local residents they may have to start making the desserts now.
You can order yours by calling into their Ipswich or Redbank branches or by phoning Ipswich Meals on Wheels on 3281 4465.
You can also go online to www.ipswichmow.org.au
